It's more than what you pay.

For years, Stacy O'Neal has been helping people find the right insurance coverage - and get the most for their healthcare dollars. If you're ready to view popular plans online, get your free quotes now. If you'd like to talk about your options, please contact us. Our service is free, and it doesn't stop once you purchase a plan. You'll get our expert advice and help through every step of owning an insurance policy.

Individual Health Insurance

Simply put, health insurance is protection against medical costs. A health insurance policy is a contract between an insurer and an individual or group, in which the insurer agrees to provide specified health insurance at an agreed-upon price (the premium). Depending on your policy, your premium may be payable either in a lump sum or in installments.

Health insurance usually provides either direct payment or reimbursement for expenses associated with illnesses and injuries. The cost and range of protection provided by your health insurance will depend on your insurance provider and the particular policy you purchase. If your employer does not offer a health insurance plan, you may wish to purchase health insurance on your own.

Seniors

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 years of age or older. It pays for much of your health care, but not all of it, such costs could be, prescription drugs, deductibles, coinsurance. Medicare Supplements are a health insurance policy sold by private heath insurance companies to fill the "gaps" in Medicare coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions about Health Insurance

What is a premium?
A premium is the monthly cost of keeping your insurance policy in effect. Health insurance premiums are determined by a variety of factors, including your medical history, your lifestyle, and your current health status.

What is a deductible?
A deductible is an amount of medical expenses you are responsible for paying before your insurance starts covering you. A common deductible is $500. This means you would be responsible for paying the first $500 in medical bills before receiving coverage. Having a higher deductible usually means you enjoy lower monthly premiums.

What is a co-payment?
A co-payment is a fixed-dollar amount that you are responsible for paying for a particular medical service. For example, many plans have $20 co-payments for doctor's visits. This means it only costs you $20 to see a doctor.

What is coinsurance?
Coinsurance is an amount of the cost of a medical service that you are responsible for paying. Unlike a co-payment, which is a fixed-dollar amount, coinsurance is expressed as a percentage. For example, many insurance plans have 20% coinsurance for hospital costs meaning you pay 20% of the total cost of a trip to the hospital.

What's an out-of-pocket expense?
An out-of-pocket expense is any cost you have to pay yourself when receiving medical care. This includes your deductible, co-payments, and coinsurance. Most health insurance policies have an annual maximum out-of-pocket expense. Once you have paid out enough money to meet that maximum, your insurance company will pay the rest of your medical costs.

What is managed care?
Managed care is a form of health insurance that stresses preventive medicine and affordability. In a managed care plan, you typically choose a Primary Care Physician who is responsible for approving specialist and hospital care. Managed care was originally introduced as a way to control healthcare costs. It's now the most common form of health insurance in the United States. HMOs and PPOs are examples of managed care.

What is a Health Savings Account?
Health Savings Accounts aren't health insurance plans. Instead, they are a financial tool designed to help make your healthcare more affordable. The money you deposit in an HSA is tax-free. You don't pay taxes on qualified withdrawals, either. In effect, it's like getting extra money from the government to pay for healthcare. To open an HSA, you first have to purchase a high deductible health plan.

Why should I buy health insurance?
Having health insurance isn't just about paying medical bills. It's about knowing that you'll always have access to quality care. Health insurance makes seeing the doctor easy and affordable and that means you're more likely to stay healthy.